“Joy and happiness cannot be found in pursuit of any goal or achievement. It does not reside in fortune or fame. It resides only in the human mind and the human heart. And it’s here where we hope you will find it.” —HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA and ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU
His Holiness and the Archbishop, both Nobel Laureates, have only met a handful of times. Yet, their particular backgrounds and positions have helped them to forge an unusual and unique friendship. The intention of their historic weeklong conversation was to give the world a lasting legacy: the teaching that one must not seek happiness, which is fleeting, but to instead approach every moment of our lives with a deep joy, which is lasting.
With over half a million sold world-wide – THE BOOK OF JOY is not simply a transcript of the week in Dharmasala; instead, it is a journey, told in their own words. And their words have resonated. From Oprah, who named it one of her Favorite Things, to Ellen to Bono to Sir Richard Branson, the accolades for the book and its message prompted a global campaign to #sharethejoy. We learn how in spite of the hardships His Holiness and the Archbishop have faced and all the atrocities they have witnessed, they have become two of the world’s most joyous people. We learn too of the personal moments of joy and compassion they have experienced, that have again and again proven the strength and dignity of humans worldwide.
As Doug Abrams, co-writer and moderator of the week says, “these men share a bond that transcends the brief time they have spent together, and each considers the other his ‘mischievous spiritual brother’. This was truly a magical and historic meeting. Given their health and global politics, it may be the last time they will be able to see each other.”
Through the story of a beautiful friendship, discussion of neuroscience and other scientific studies, moving personal stories of apartheid and the exile from Tibet and even a few bad jokes, The Book of Joy answers the question we all ask: how do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering?
And The Book of Joy Journal helps those inspired by these men integrate the answers this question, along with the teachings, stories, bad jokes, and philosophies of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in a beautiful and creative way.
Talking points:
How do we find joy in a time of such uncertainty for America?
In spite of the hardships His Holiness and the Archbishop have faced and all the atrocities they have witnessed, they have become two of the world’s most joyous people. Why is that?
Including talk about the simple joys they find in life – The Dalai Lama and his response to rice pudding, Archbishop Tutu’s love of rum raisin ice cream, the Dalai Lama dancing for the first time
And the hardships they have encountered – Dalai Lama’s flight into exile and how it actually brought him more joy than suffering, a retelling of the release of Nelson Mandala and what that meant to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the people of South Africa
What is the ‘nature of true joy’, and how do we avoid the ‘obstacles to joy’? Why joy a state of being rather than a simple emotion one feels?
The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu talk about the Eight Pillars of Joy in the book (perspective, humility, acceptance, etc). What are they, and why are they important for all of us?
When dealing with a time of such unease, what are some joy practices that will help us all cope?
The science of joy and how even the Dalai Lama is incorporating/sees the importance neuroscience into his own teachings and beliefs
Also – the points in the book are as relevant as ever with what’s going on in the news:
In a time of such political and societal unease, journaling and taking time for yourself helps bring joy
Self-care and mindfulness is as big of a conversation topic as ever
This is a 365-day journal that prompts us with inspiring quotes to help transform the joy practices into an enduring way of life. Because the days aren’t dated, you can start whenever
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. He is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan People and of Tibetan Buddhism. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and the US Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. Born in 1935 to a poor farming family in northeastern Tibet he was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama. He has been a passionate advocate for a secular universal approach to cultivating fundamental human values. For over three decades the Dalai Lama has maintained an ongoing conversation and collaboration with scientists from a wide range of disciplines, especially through the Mind and Life Institute, an organization that he co-founded. The Dalai Lama travels extensively, promoting kindness and compassion, interfaith understanding, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace. He lives in exile in Dharamsala, India. For more information, please visit: http://www.dalailama.com
Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Southern Africa, became a prominent leader in the crusade for justice and racial reconciliation in South Africa. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. In 1994, Tutu was appointed chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Nelson Mandela, where he pioneered a new way for countries to move forward after experiencing civil conflict and oppression. He was the founding chair of The Elders, a group of global leaders working together for peace and human rights. Archbishop Tutu is regarded as a leading moral voice and an icon of hope. Throughout his life, he has cared deeply about the needs of people around the world, teaching love and compassion for all. He lives in Cape Town, South Africa. For more information please visit http://www.tutu.org.za.
